2024-12-16 16:22:00
It is maintained by the Ministry of Health recommendations against respiratory viruses despite failing to agree them with the ministries last October. One of the measures included the progressive use of the mask as the epidemic progressed.
Therefore, the plan of the ministry led by Mónica García was to agree on a common strategy with all communities in advance. This roadmap it would have homogeneous application throughout the territory to avoid situations like last winter, when masks were imposed in health centers.
Two months ago the Public Health Commission had on the table the approval of the plan against winter viruses that the technical teams of the Ministry and the communities had developed, but the lack of agreement with the ministries prevented it.
García, before entering the Interterritorial Council this Monday, called this refusal “worrying and very disappointing” and attacked the PP for putting “its partisan interests” before the health of all citizens. Although it is worth remembering this two months ago Not even the Ministry of Health of Castilla-La Mancha supported the document..
In light of this, the Ministry published the Technical document of recommendations for the control of acute respiratory infectionswhich is the same one discussed in the Public Health Commission but no longer discussed due to lack of charges from communities. “From the Ministry we have done our work and published it as recommendations“said the minister.
The measures aim to “facilitate coordination regardless of whether each autonomous community or city can implement all the complementary measures it deems appropriate” depending on four risk levels (0, 1, 2 and 3)which in turn will be ranked second to series of indicatorssuch as incidence rate, hospital admissions, bed occupancy or intensive care admissions, among others.
These indicators, which will be reviewed weekly, will be extracted mainly from Surveillance system for acute respiratory infections in Spain (SiVIRA)but also from the register of temporary disability processes (IT); the tool wastewater control; the daily mortality monitoring system (MoMo); that of Information on vaccination (SIVAMIN) and information on community healthcare capacity and hospital occupancy.
Mask, as the first barrier against the spread of viruses
Healthcare believes that some measures should be common to all scenarios, even among themselves wearing a surgical mask and self-isolating before symptoms. This device is limited to over six yearsexcept for those who have “some type of illness or breathing difficulty” that can be aggravated by the mask or who, due to their disability or dependence, do not have the autonomy to remove it.
Others must govern too prevention recommendations like the vaccinationhand hygiene; give priority to outdoor spaces, avoid crowds and adequately ventilate spaces. Likewise, it supports the review and dissemination of the emergency plans for health and social-health centers to deal with the increase in cases which “guarantee continuity of care”.
Scenario 1: Recommended in vulnerable areas of health centers
It will be classified as scenario 1 when transmissibility indicators are at a low or moderate level.
- People with symptoms: In addition to wearing a mask, they must, as far as possible, minimize their interactions, apply respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene measures for 5 days after the onset of symptoms and, if their position allows, telework .
- Residential centres: Workers with symptoms should be relocated to areas where there is no direct contact with vulnerable people and, if this is not possible, leave work for the first 5 days after the onset of symptoms. Once reinstated, they will continue to use the mask permanently until complete remission.
- Hospitals, health centers and similar: Masks will be recommended for healthcare staff, patients and carers in vulnerable areas such as chemotherapy treatment rooms or transplant units.
Scenario 2: waiting rooms and emergencies
The indicators in this scenario will be at a high level, unless “there are reasons to assign a higher or lower risk level”.
- People with symptoms: Early diagnosis will be encouraged and the use of antivirals evaluated.
- Non-pharmacological measures: strengthen ventilation, cleaning and disinfection and recommend a mask to people “whose occupations bring them into extensive face-to-face contact with the public and whenever they interact with people with compatible symptoms or confirmed cases”.
Measures will be promoted that “avoid the agglomeration of workers in closed spaces”.
In the residential centers Masks will be “actively” recommended to people at risk in supermarkets, shops and public transport, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, gyms, dance halls or large outdoor events. On a “permanent” basis, it will be recommended to “all workers in vulnerable areas”, but not to patients or residents, “evaluating its obligatory nature generally or in centers identified based on their specific situation and vulnerability. ” Courtesy visits can be “limited” by first evaluating “the emotional repercussions” of this action. IL infected workers in contact with vulnerable people who cannot move they must be discharged “on the indicated isolation days”.
In the health centersTHE the mask will become “indicated” of both workers and patients and companions in common places such as waiting rooms or hospital emergency rooms, “evaluating their obligatory nature in a general way or in centers identified based on their specific situation and vulnerability”.
THE continuity plans to guarantee healthcare due to increased demand, worker absenteeism due to illness or, in certain situations, staff quarantine. If necessary, the capacities of emergency services and intensive care units will be increased.
Scenario 3: additional and “exceptional” measures.
When the indicators are at a “very high” level or there is information that suggests a “pandemic risk”, other measures will be added, such as strengthening coordination between the different territories through the extraordinary convocation of the plenary session of the Interterritorial Council. If necessary, “the adoption of additional and exceptional measures may be taken into consideration and will be implemented according to specific rules”.
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